53 thoughts on “Plex to hit TiVo come June 8th (or sooner…)”

I’m increasingly hopeful that Plex will be a “native” TiVo app, accessible fairly high in the menu hierarchy, as opposed to an app like Facebook that’s buried inside the Opera Store. Cable providers Evolution Digital and RCN have both pre-announced that Plex is coming soon and now Plex has as well. Has this much attention ever been paid in the past to the launch of an Opera Store app? Evolution Digital’s announcement (https://zatznotfunny.com/2015-03/confirmed-plex-headed-to-tivo/) noted Vudu, Plex and iHeartRadio. Vudu is already out as a native app and, based on the notes in RCN’s announcement (http://www.rcn.com/tivo/best-app-library-tv/), it looks like iHeartRadio will be a native app as well (located in Tivo Central > Music & Photos). Given the level of anticipation for Plex, TiVo will have a lot of blowback if it’s relegated to the Opera Store.

“I’m increasingly hopeful that Plex will be a “native” TiVo app, accessible fairly high in the menu hierarchy, as opposed to an app like Facebook that’s buried inside the Opera Store.”

The key, as far as I’m concerned, is less with placement, and more about whether it can integrate into OnePass technologies like Search and Bookmarking.

Without that, it’s kinda dead to me, even with the ability to use your input 1 remote, though I’m sure folks with no other Plex endpoint would disagree. (But if you really have no other Plex endpoint at this point in time, when it’s everywhere, I’m not sure how into Plex you’d be…)

I wouldn’t use Plex for video playback, I’d just use it as a substitute for Apple TV, i.e. streaming music and photos from my Mac. So OnePass integration isn’t so important for me, although it would be nice to have. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if that happens. If Plex is buried in the Opera Store, I doubt I’d use it. I’d rather just switch inputs and fire up the Apple TV (which I still depend on right now for streaming Showtime and HBO anyway).

I got some questions into Plex PR. Scott is on the road in NYC today, so the response might not be immediate. I didn’t ask for advanced access because I don’t want to get into bed with TiVo PR. Will report back when I know more.

@ Chucky [Quote]”The key, as far as I’m concerned, is less with placement, and more about whether it can integrate into OnePass technologies like Search and Bookmarking.

Without that, it’s kinda dead to me, even with the ability to use your input 1 remote, though I’m sure folks with no other Plex endpoint would disagree. (But if you really have no other Plex endpoint at this point in time, when it’s everywhere, I’m not sure how into Plex you’d be…)”[/Quote]

Chucky, I would suggest that it is highly unlikely this will integrate into OnePass. OnePass cannot even tell what personally owned content I have in my Vudu library.

The OnePass data does not in any way look at local content, and it doesn’t even appear to be real time for global content in Amazon or Netflix. The data seems to be aggregated periodically (Daily, weekly, monthly), we don’t know… But we don’t get real time updates.

It would be a huge effort to integrate a local library – and I will bet my house they have no intention of doing that for Plex.

Yeah, I seriously doubt we’ll see any OnePass/Search integration. But this will still be a hugely valuable tool. Plex PR is passing along my initial questions, but they’re saying TiVo led with their “media alert” today and Scott may not be willing (or cleared?) to answer them at this time. We shall see. Will hope for something more pleasant and useful than most PR interactions… ;)

I agree One pass is unlikely. Although not because Tivo could not handle their end of it by simply using the same/similar methods they currently use to create the links from other services(netflix/amazon). But I view that problem more from the Plex side and them having to allow Tivo the access to private account info in order to create those links. Not to mention no two Plex libraries are alike which creates it own issues regarding Plex sharing that ever evolving data with OnePass’ underlying technology….But with that being said if TiVo figures out a way to make that application work with OnePass my wildest dreams will have just come true. It would be EPIC on a whole new level for digital media consumers. And I cannot overstate EPIC!

@Zach – Frankly, I would rather TiVo modernize the external repository mechanism already in place from MRV to MRS. If my personal repository were presented in the same way a second Roamio or Premiere device is managed I would be over the top happy. (Today it is presented in the same SD screens as a Series 3 and moves as opposed to streams)

I really dislike having to go out of the native TiVo interface and into these OTT apps every time I want to watch something. That is why Onepass is kind of nice…

Note: I know streambaby works, but frankly those old SD screens are worse than going into a modern OTT app.

Evan Adams,
Plex offers a directory of channels that includes Twit, so yes, you can get their programming on-screen through a Plex set-up once you get a server going.

We use Plex in our home and this will be a very welcome addition IF AND ONLY IF the app is usable within, say, 10 seconds of being started. Otherwise, we can pack up the popcorn and troupe to the bedroom, turn on that TV, start Plex on the Roku, settle in, and be watching our show. All the while the TiVo sits spinning its little wheel in the front room. “Netflix coming up any second now, you guys!”

Tim, it wouldn’t be a Plex update, TiVo would have to change the way they aggregate individualized content into search from your Plex library. I consider that a significant change from their current aggregation process and highly unlikely.

I would have to say no – this would be a major development effort and very unTiVo like.

Been looking forward to this since news originally broke a few months back but skeptical about how well it will really run on my aging Premiere unit. Started using Plex about a year ago and love it for media consolidation.
If they run the Roamio OTA with lifetime promotion again, that will be more tempting now :)

“Tim, it wouldn’t be a Plex update, TiVo would have to change the way they aggregate individualized content into search from your Plex library. I consider that a significant change from their current aggregation process and highly unlikely.”

Yeah. It’s on Alviso. But otherwise:

Meh. And double-meh.

If TiVo were to want to do this, it’s not some kind of paradigm shift. For the OnePass Technologies, they index what’s available in selected OTT services via their API’s. They could do the same with the available content in Plex libraries via that API.

There are broader business arguments against TiVo doing this, and implementation hassles in relation to the audience size arguments against TiVo doing this. But there are business arguments in favor of them doing it too.

My only real point is that they could do this relatively simply, should they so wish.

“I really dislike having to go out of the native TiVo interface and into these OTT apps every time I want to watch something. That is why Onepass is kind of nice…”

Yup. I never use TiVo for access to top-level services I could access on a Roku instead. Just too sluggish. Before OnePass rolled out, I simply didn’t use TiVo’s OTT services. Just easier to switch inputs and remotes.

But OnePass changes the game. I love having ‘bookmarks’ of series or individual movies in my Now Playing list. Painless in-and-out to desired content.

Software development was sluggish for a looooong time, but they’re actually agile and proficient post-Haxe, (even if marketing and PR aren’t). We’ve already walked through the valley of the shadow of Duke Nukem Forever. And now we’re out the other side. OnePass.

(And again, none of this means that Plex on TiVo will do what I want. There really is a cost/benefit equation that means it might not make sense from the Alviso POV. But even if it’s not what I want, I’m sure they’ll be some folks who find any implementation useful. After all, Plex on toaster ovens has an audience.)

Chucky, which TiVo are you using? I just got a Roamio OTA and, while some apps are a little slow to initially load (I think Netflix takes maybe 6 or 7 seconds), I don’t find Netflix, Amazon Instant Video or Vudu at all sluggish once they start up. In fact, I think the Netflix app on my TiVo is the all-around best version of Netflix I’ve seen yet, better than on my current (3rd gen) Apple TV, my Wii U, and way better than my Roku 2 XD. The Netflix UI is great on TiVo and I’ve never seen better HD video quality (except maybe Blu-ray) than when watching some of the recent Netflix original shows in super HD 1080p24.

Yeah, in our family room we use Netflix and Amazon exclusively on the TiVo despite being a step or two slower than every other device I own (Roku 3, Fire TV, Xbox One). Also, I don’t use TiVo’s search and haven’t really had occasion (yet) for a OnePass consisting of both linear and OTT content.

“Yeah, in our family room we use Netflix and Amazon exclusively on the TiVo despite being a step or two slower than every other device I own”

I’ve got an incredibly strong aversion to sluggish UI’s that may not be widely shared. I’ll walk a mile to avoid an extra second in every keypress. Early adopter of SSD’s on general purpose computers.

But then again, since OnePass rolled out, I very rarely use Netflix and Amazon from the top-level of the apps, on any device. Worth popping into those service once or twice a month or so on the Roku to browse the new addition sections, but on a daily basis, I’d far rather use the consistent TiVo UI. Consistent UI’s are as important in my book as non-sluggishness.

“Also, I don’t use TiVo’s search”

Dude, you’re seriously missing out. (Of course, I use Kmttg search these days, rather than the ‘On the TiVo’ search.) But the ability to do a unified search across all OTT and multicast by title, metadata keyword, director, or actor, with the ability to filter out a-la-carte options if you so choose? Totally changed my usage patterns and massively improved my UX.

(And you must use TiVo search in some way, no? Otherwise, how do you add items to OnePass / ‘bookmarks’?)

Answers from Plex! Probably not what we were hoping for, but I’m reserving judgement.

I’m told the app will run within the Opera App Store without OnePass/Search integration. But, given its prime billing, I wonder if Plex will have a dedicated shortcut at the same level as a Netflix or Amazon? The experience will be similar to other Plex Smart TV apps and will support 720p at launch — 1080p will arrive at a later date. More detail on video quality and encoding will ultimately be included here:

Bummer…I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s better than what I’m expecting given it’s an Opera App. It definitely needs a dedicated link at a minimum though. There’s zero chance I’ll use Plex on TiVo if I have to open up the Opera store first. Looks like I’ll most likely be sticking with Xbox One for Plex watching for now.

Eh, I think I’ll pass if that’s the case. I’ll just switch to Apple TV and airplay from my phone. Was really hoping for OnePass integration. Don’t really care about search but having the shows in my OnePass would have been awesome.

I’m predicting hardly anyone will use this. Who’s going to buy a PlexPass to use an Opera Store app? And if you already have a PlexPass, you almost certainly have a better Plex client on your TV than this will be. Boo.

That definitely helps. I might as well use it over Airplay on the Apple TV now. Would love OnePass integration but happy to hear no plexpass requirement and hopefully you can open the app with minimal number of clicks.

TiVo is just the perfect company for a “second tier blogger” who goes off the official reservation to cover, no? With a permanently drunk and stoned marketing/PR staff, it’s the only way to cover them…

All is good as long as there is a shortcut to the Plex where the other ott apps are. I really will only use it on my Tivo minis anyway. In my main living space I have a mac which is the best plex client ive seen. Also have a firetv in there which is the absolute best for amazon content. But like I said Plex on the mini will be useful for the bedrooms. The biggest bummer to me is the 720p.

TiVo is slowly turning back into the Holy Grail of the go to device for home entertainment. The Roamio (lifetime) and Mini combination make it an economical replacement for expensive whole home DVRs from cable providers. All you have to do now is pay your cable company for the cost of one cable card rental for at least $4.99 from Verizon.

Given that they’re making this a priority in this way, I really wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see eventual Search / Bookmarking integration, assuming that MSO partners don’t veto that. (And assuming there are no serious technical obstacles in making Opera apps OnePass compatible.)

For me, “native” means mostly resident on the box (riding on Haxe) versus an app streamed from within the Opera TV App Store/area. TiVo uses both Opera SDK and HTML5 for their “native” apps (as did Boxee Cloud DVR, for example) – some portions of the UI obviously stream down. This could all be semantics, given what we don’t know of TiVo’s platform. But I choose to assume that a top level app has more access and capabilities (current and future) than one within the store. At any rate, I’m pleased to see Plex keeping up with our thread here and wanting to revise their earlier comments for clarity.

“Given that they’re making this a priority in this way, I really wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see eventual Search / Bookmarking integration”

The more I think about this the more I’d really like to see it included. But even if there wasn’t any Plex Search / Bookmarking integration, couldn’t TiVo at least integrate TiVo shows that are stored on a PC? Why can’t I copy my shows to the PC and have TiVo include them in My Shows when I fire up the TiVo? It would be much better than the TiVo desktop or even pyTivo solutions which show up under Devices. Ideally I could even stream straight from the PC, but even if it was just used to find the shows and transfer back to the TiVo it would still be a nice convenience. Any chance TiVo is accepting feature requests? :)

Equivalent to Netflix, but under Music & Photos and why I singled out Spofity above. ;) As they add apps, we need a UI refresh. Still like my idea for a grid (which is quicker to navigate, quicker to read and recognize) but where they might put it is anyone’s guess. Launching apps from icons within TiVo’s tablet or smartphone app might be a fine solution too – Roku’s been doing that for years for direct dial.

Well, I really like what all you’ve told us so far about Plex on TiVo. Thanks for the scoop, Dave. And I agree about the need for quicker access to apps — I think TiVo increasingly realizes that a quality OTT streaming experience will have to play a big role in their future, so hopefully the next major UI update (whenever that comes) will enable that.

In the meantime, an easy quick fix (I think) would be for TiVo to put in an option in the Remote setup for users to assign individual apps or TV channels to the colored A, B, C and D buttons — essentially making them “hot keys”. I know those buttons already have specific contextual uses within the menus but, during regular TV viewing (either live or recorded), those buttons do nothing. Wouldn’t it be great to press A to launch Netflix, B to launch Plex, C to change to channel 42-1 and D to launch Showtime Anytime. (Yeah, I know.) I submitted the idea on the TiVo feature request survey, although who knows if they even pay attention to submissions.